Mayweather v. Marquez – Number One v. Numero Uno

Here are five reasons to bet the house on Mayweather…

1. Speed. Mayweather has the fastest hands in the game today. Carlos Baldomir was everyone’s darling coming into his 2006 welterweight fight against Mayweather. He was big and dominant and seemingly indestructible. Baldomir had just pounded-out the late Arturo Gatti and months earlier willed his way past the speedy Zab Judah. It wasn’t close. Mayweather’s movement and hand speed turned Baldomir into an aging, heavy-footed club fighter.

2. Boxing IQ. If you’re going to get to Mayweather you had better do it early. Once Mayweather adjusts to what his opponent is doing the fight is over. In their 2006 welterweight bout Zab Judah won some early rounds but couldn’t keep pace with Mayweather as the rounds progressed. Mayweather countered the aggression out of Judah with pinpoint shots Judah didn’t see let alone stop. Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton also started strong before going down in defeat.

3. Defense. When was the last time you saw Mayweather nicked up following a fight? The man rarely gets hit flush. In his 2007 super fight against Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather spent the majority of the evening with his back pressed against the ropes. A much bigger man, De La Hoya threw everything he had at Mayweather and didn’t leave a mark. Mayweather tucked his chin, leaned back and rolled with the punches.

4. Pop. George Foreman or Julian Jackson he isn’t, but Mayweather can crack. The late Diego Corrales wasn’t considered “chinny” when he entered the ring against Mayweather for their 2001 super featherweight title fight. But Corrales went down three times in the 7th and twice more in the 10th before the fight was stopped. Like Corrales, Ricky Hatton was an undefeated fighter when he challenged Mayweather in 2007. A Mayweather hook in the 10th ended Hatton’s night and his perfect record.

5. Marquez. Yes, Juan Manuel Marquez is a consensus top ten fighter and three-division champion but he has become increasingly easy to hit in recent outings. At times Joel Casamayor was too fast for Marquez during their 2008 lightweight clash. Marquez struggled to time Casamayor who landed lefts with regularity before being caught and stopped by Marquez in the 10th. Similarly, Juan Diaz lathered Marquez with hooks to the body when the two met in 2009. And similarly, Marquez weathered the storm and went on to stop the young bull late in the fight.

And another five reasons not to…

1. Marquez. Marquez has a warrior heart and surgeon hands. An expert counter puncher with power in both hands, Marquez may be the best Mexican fighter of his generation. With no shot at a third fight against Pacquiao, Marquez called out Mayweather following his victory over Diaz. Perhaps he saw something during the Mayweather-Hatton fight? Perhaps trainer Nacho Beristain saw something while preparing De La Hoya to fight Mayweather in 2007? Whatever the reason, Marquez is convinced he will beat Mayweather when they meet in the ring.

2. Ring rust. When Mayweather finally steps between the ropes on September 19th, nearly two full years will have elapsed since he last saw action. Maybe he needed time to heal? Maybe he wanted to pursue other interests? Without question he celebrated two birthdays while out of the ring. I’m certain Mayweather stayed in shape during his self-imposed hiatus; he is a superb athlete. But staying in shape and staying sharp are two different things. And in today’s economy tune-up fights are a thing of the past.

3. Distractions. Uncle Roger. Father Floyd. Money Mayweather. Enough said.

4. Brittle hands. Mayweather can beat many fighters with one hand. Marquez is not one of them. With a history of hand troubles all it takes is one ill placed punch to render Mayweather a handicapped fighter. Add a fight postponing rib injury to the mix and Mayweather suddenly seems vulnerable. So much so that Mayweather felt compelled to respond on twitter to reports that Marquez is planning a body attack. “Marquez says hes goin after my ribs but theres no weakness in MONEY MAY.”

5. Home cooking. Mayweather may live in Las Vegas but on fight night Marquez will own the town. On Mexican Independence Day weekend, the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be packed to the rafters with flag waving, energy producing Mexicans and Mexican-Americans pulling for Juan Manuel Marquez. They will out number and drown-out Mayweather backers as long as their man is in the fight. If Marquez scores a knockdown the place will erupt. Mayweather will feel their presence and, more importantly, so too will Marquez.

Source: http://blog.thesweetscience.com/2009/08/10/mayweather-v-marquez-number-one-v-numero-uno